Rowlandson's painting shows the 'fly', a fast horse-drawn carriage crammed with people, heading towards Portsmouth down the London Road.
The Portsmouth Fly by Thomas Rowlandson, 1790s
© The Portsmouth City Museum
Details
- Medium:
- Pen & ink & watercolour
- Dimensions:
- 25.4 x 37.5 cm
- Art Fund grant:
- £5,000 ( Total: £17,000)
- Acquired in:
- 2012
- Vendor:
- Lowell Libson
The background captures some of the city's iconic sights, including Southsea Castle, Portsea Island and Portchester Castle.
Provenance
General Sir Arthus Wynee; Hildegarde Loretta Sell and Anna Sosenko; Mr Marc Fitch, 1987; private collection.